Prakt. lékáren. 2014; 10(3): 99-101

The effects of drugs on sexual function

Jindřiška Voláková

Nemocniční lékárna, Fakultní nemocnice Hradec Králové

Sexual dysfunctions are quantitative disorders of sexual performance in both women and men, the prevalence is reported 15–40%. Causes

of sexual dysfunctions are very varied, they can have organic or psychogenic character and in many cases we can expect multifactorial

etiology, thus combination of organic, psychogenic and interpersonal causes.

However, using of some drugs can lead to sexual dysfunctions. Sexual dysfunctions as adverse effect of pharmacotherapy are a frequent

problem in the treatment with some antihypertensives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiepileptics, drugs for the treatment of benign

prostatic hyperplasia and a lot of other drugs.

Sexual adverse effects of pharmacotherapy seem to be unimportant at first glance. But it should be noted that sexuality is very important

component of quality of life and sexual dysfunctions caused by pharmacotherapy can be inconveniencing and they can be the principal

reason of medication nonadherence.

Keywords: sexual dysfunctions, sexual disorders, regulation of sexual activity, adverse effects

Published: June 1, 2014  Show citation